BMW X3 2018 first drive: It's certainly not beautiful, but it grows on you

A quick guide to car launches, chapter one; if they say they're taking it "to the next level", there won't actually be much of great substance done to the car. Well that's the way it seemed with BMW's third-generation X3. This family-sized SUV crossover competes in a sector, Premium SUVs, which vies as the fastest growing in the UK and has recently been gingered up with arrival of the expensive-but-lovely Range Rover Velar.

So while the brochure for this new 3-series-based soft-roader is heavy with phrases such as "building on our reputation" and "using well-established drivelines", you'll search in vain for "brand-new" and “cutting-edge innovation". Don't scoff, though; the X3 has been quite a success for BMW for exactly those reputational and well-established reasons.

Originally launched in 2003, it was a small sister to the X5, which was arguably the original SUV crossover. The first-generation X3 was built by Magna Steyr in Austria and while it wasn't much to drive, it sold well, tapping into a burgeoning market for high-riding crossovers. But BMW rested on its laurels to the extent that sales were plummeting by the time it was replaced by a very similar Mk2 in 2010. It was almost bigger than the original X5 and was built in the company's Spartenburg plant in South Carolina. Despite initial strong sales growth, BMW rode the crest of the wave and numbers have plateaued in recent years, although they've held up in the UK, which seems to like the X3 very much - last year was its best ever, with 9,638 sales.

This third generation was revealed in June and goes on sale in November from between £37,980 and £50,530 - BMW is expecting to sell 11,000 in the first full year. It's been re-styled, by Australian Calvin Luk, but is strongly based on the previous model, so the exterior dimensions remain largely the same, although a 5cm longer wheelbase allows more space inside. New stuff includes a longer bonnet, more creases and a weird, 7-series-like iteration of BMW’s trademark “kidney” grille; it's not a particularly pretty car in the manner of say, Alfa Romeo's Stelvio, but it does have a steadfast quality.

Broadly, buyers of this sort of car would rather have on-road manners than outright off-road prowess Credit:
Uwe Fischer

The interior has been given a gentle titivation with softer shapes, rethought storage space and more driver assistance systems including a radar- and camera-based active lane keeping/cruise control that amounts to limited autonomous driving.

We experienced this system on the BMW 5-series on the same Portuguese roads. Then and now, it works but only up to a point. If the motorway bend is too great it hands back control with barely an extinguished dash lamp as warning, which is plain scary.

It's a posh but practical cabin, with lots of space in front and back, good-sized door bins and show-off surface changes on the facia and door trims. The big centre screen is one of the best in the business although the software hangs a bit, which leaves the satnav barking a series of turn instructions at the last possible moment. There's also new “intuitive” connectivity systems of the type that you get on smartphones, which send you messages half-way through the day about how far you are from Tenby. You sit too high in the front seats, but the rears are big and comfy and they fold down to give an enormous, flat-floored boot.

It's not the best-looking car - the new Alfa Stelvio is probably prettier Credit:
Uwe Fischer

There are two petrol models; the 181bhp, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder 20i and the 355bhp, 3.0-litre, six-cylinder M40i. The diesels are a 187bhp, 2.0-litre four-cylinder X20d at £38,880 (likely to be the most popular in the UK) and the 261bhp, 3.0-litre, straight-six tested here, which costs f44,380 and, of course, attracts five years of £310 luxury car tax.

BMW says it'll have a full battery-electric version within two years and a plug-in hybrid by 2020, which is a bit late considering its rival Volvo has stated it will have an all-electrified range by then.

The gearbox is BMW's eight-speed automatic and the 4x4 driveline has a central front/rear power splitter consisting of a Haldex-type electronically adjustable multi-plate clutch pack and a similar device in the rear axle. The maximum braked towing capacity is 2.4 tonnes, so reckon on only a small horsebox dangling aft.

The straight-six diesel is one of the nicest around, at least on par with Audi's creamy V6. It has a pleasant and powerful-sounding roar to match a blistering low-rev urge, which suits the automatic gearbox. It settles down when cruising, with a relaxed top-gear gait and a quiet cabin.

The BMW is probably more comfortable than most of its competitors Credit:
Uwe Fischer

During an off-road route we saw an almost worst-case fuel consumption of 39mpg against a Combined figure of 49.6mpg.

While its off-road agility is limited by the lack of a transfer box, it isn't bad, with decent entry and departure angles and a half-metre fording depth. On a dry, sandy inclines, it would spin a wheel briefly before the clutches diverted more power across the axle or to the front wheels and forward progress would return.

The M40i behaved just as you'd expect a near two-tonne SUV with 355bhp to drive; line it up, floor it and hang on until you run out of petrol. It's fun but pretty pointless.

From the off, the X3 feels like a dynamic cut above most rivals, managing to combine both a reasonable ride quality and agility. The steering isn't over-endowed with feel, but it is precise and the turn-in is fast. Keep it moving briskly and you can cover a lot of miles quickly thanks to a confidence-inspiring and pleasing feeling of being in charge of a well-engineered machine.

It's a competent, if slightly dull, premium SUVCredit:
Uwe Fischer

Overdrive it though, and after an adroit turn-in the tyres squirm and it has a top-heavy yaw, which feels horrible. This is the handling writing cheques the high-riding, heavyweight nature of an SUV can't honour. If you are looking for fine handling and fast distribution of lots of stuff, BMW produces a more than adequate 5-series Touring estate.

The X3 rides nicely over broken surfaces, even the M40i on its 20-inch tyres (the most popular M Sport trim level comes with 19-inch wheels and tyres which will be even better). Body roll is well controlled and the brakes are powerful, although the pedal could do with a tiny bit more progression.

However, it's not particularly loveable and it's certainly not beautiful, but it grows on you. You'd never be too far behind quicker rivals such as Alfa's Stelvio or Porsche's Macan, but you'd be more comfortable - and that feeling of high quality production and fine engineering is, I have to say, slightly addictive.

VERDICT Nothing exactly new, more a raised game from this premium family SUV. High-tech suspension rides well and provides good handling, although there is rather a lot of car to throw around. Accommodating and comfortable cabin, with excellent rear space and a decent-sized boot. Quite likeable, though a little dull and not a great-looking car.

TELEGRAPH RATING Four stars out of five

THE RIVALS

Volvo XC60, from £32,935

You need to spend £34,465 to get a 4x4 version of this lovely SUV, with the heavy but lovely five-cylinder 2.4 diesel. Looks great, rides beautifully and the interior is a delight. Soft-road rather than off-road, but then that's what all these cars are about.

Audi Q5, from £38,035

Renewed for this year, the Q5 is keen competition for BMW - it actually outsold the X3 for several years. It builds on the old strengths with great diesel engines and surprisingly adept handling, but the steering remains horrible and it's a bit dull.

Range Rover Velar, from £44,830

Land Rover's Discovery and Discovery Sport might also be competition here, but the Velar has moved the design game on inside and out. It's expensive, the smallest diesel is a bit noisy and the body control is fidgety, but it looks fantastic.

Mercedes-Benz GLC, from £36,380

Looks great and the cabin is modern, well appointed, comfortable and attractive. It drives reasonably well, too, but on certain suspension options the ride and the steering feel odd. As ever, watch the options list, although air suspension might be worth the extra.